Contents

Support Using Remote Access

Top Tip

Our Personality Types

Software-Matters Team Quiz Answers

Did You Know…?

Smatterings Offer

Referral Scheme

Ever had a problem with your computer that just wasn't very easy to describe over the phone? Ever been given instructions that weren't that easy to follow? Ever wished that the person on the other end of the phone could simply fix the problem for you? They can with remote access!

Remote access means allowing someone to gain access to your computer over the internet. They see on their screen exactly what you see on your screen. You can control the mouse and keyboard to demonstrate something, or they can control the mouse and keyboard to test something.

Remote access to your computer can be achieved in a number of ways. The simplest way is to use an internet-based remote access provider. Here at Software-Matters we have been using LogMeIn® for some time now. This is a straight-forward and secure system that takes only a couple of minutes to set up. They provide a free version as well as several more advanced subscription versions.

We find remote access extremely helpful in supporting our systems. Do you want a change to your system? We can install it for you ourselves. Do you need us to look at some data? We can log in and see the data directly on your computer, and you can show us exactly what you need to do to it. Is your system not behaving as you expect? Remote access allows us to log in to your computer, see any unexpected behaviour or error messages for ourselves and, in many cases, immediately identify the problem area.

We've also used remote access to explain our systems to a new customer and to get to grips with their existing systems. We can access your computer and you can show us what you have in place already and what you are trying to achieve. However the system itself remains on your computer; once we have logged off, we can no longer see or access your system. This allows us to see what you need without you having to worry about sending us copyrighted or proprietary information - we never receive any files and we can't copy them to our system.

Another use is if you have a particularly large file that you want to show someone. Is the file too large to send by email? Unless they need their own copy, simply have them log in to your computer and look at the file there instead!

And of course remote access allows you to log in to your own computer remotely as well. Working from home and need to see some files on you work computer? Log in to view and even edit them, then just log off when you're finished. As long as your computer is switched on, you can gain access to it from any computer on the internet - anywhere in the world!

Clearly allowing other people into your computer has potential security risks. However only the simplest precautions are required to keep you and your network safe. Firstly, you have control of the usernames and passwords required to log into your computer - only give these out to people you trust, and if in doubt change your password. Secondly, you have control of the remote access software; you can turn it off, so that noone can log in remotely - to allow people back in you would have to enable the software again.

And even if someone is already using remote access, you are in control. You can take control of your computer even when someone is logged in simply by moving your mouse or typing on your keyboard - your own instructions to the computer will always take precedence over those coming from a remote access user. And, when taking control, you can kick the remote user off your system.

Want more information? Check out this issue's offer for details of how to contact us and get a fantastic deal on your support costs!

Working as a team and understanding how your colleagues think is very important in business to work efficiently, improve communication, and to create an enjoyable working environment. Here at Software-Matters we recently used a simple personality profile test to learn a bit more about ourselves and each other. The test, which groups people into 'colours', was devised by The Colour Works.

You may expect that, as we are all in the same line of work, the Software-Matters team will all fall in the same section of the wheel. Indeed this is what we were expecting before we each sat down and thought about it. Interestingly though, our team of four is spaced fairly evenly around the wheel. We work well together not because we think in similar ways, but rather because we each have something different to offer.

Check out the answers to last issue's Software-Matters Team Quiz. Did you guess who said what? Can you now see the influence of the personality types above?

1. Plum Island by Nelson DeMille - James
2. Talking about Jane Austen in Baghdad by Bee Rowlatt & May Witwit - Robin
3. Enigma by Robert Harris - Katherine

1. Yes (if they have laces!) - Katherine
2. Not always - Robin
3. Not normally - Philippa
4. No, but that's because I don't tie them up when I put them on! - James

1. Brown/grey - James
2. Greeny-brown - Philippa
3. Grey - Katherine

1. Cricket and tennis - Robin
2. Rugby Union and Formula One - Katherine
3. Cycling - James

1. Parachute jump - James & Katherine
2. No thank you! - Philippa & Robin

1. Black cherry - Katherine
2. Raspberry ripple - Robin
3. Creamy Cornish vanilla, in a cone with a flake - James

1. Yellow - Robin
2. Black - James
3. Blue - Katherine
4. Green - Philippa

PS: Don't forget about our referral scheme. Refer someone new to us and choose a crate of beer, bottle of wine or champagne, box of chocolates or £20 cash as a thank you - and they'll get a 10% discount off their first project too!